Preview: Giants at Padres

August 18, 2012|Reuters

SportsDirect Inc.

Preview: Giants at Padres

The Giants were shaken by Melky Cabrera's 50-game suspension for using a banned substance, but they still know how to beat the Padres. San Francisco has won 18 of the last 24 meetings with San Diego, including Friday's 10-1 rout. Playing its second game since Cabrera's suspension was announced, the Giants moved one half-game ahead of the Dodgers in the National League West. The Padres have lost four straight while being outscored 28-2, and they'll be looking for a long outing from Eric Stults on Saturday after using six pitchers in the series opener.

With Cabrera out, the Giants are giving Gregor Blanco regular playing time in left field. General manager Brian Sabean has indicated the team is satisfied with Blanco, who broke out of an 0-for-21 slump by going 4-for-8 in his last two games. Hitting behind Blanco in the bottom of the order, shortstop Brandon Crawford is batting 13-for-31 (.419) during his career-high nine-game hitting streak. The news is considerably worse in San Diego, which learned Friday that starting pitcher Tim Stauffer is out for the rest of the season with a sore shoulder and a flexor tendon issue in his elbow. Stauffer made just one start with the Padres this season.

Zito has struggled in August with a 7.16 ERA in three starts, including last Sunday's outing when he gave up four runs over 5 1/3 innings against Colorado. Padres third baseman Chase Headley is 7-for-29 (.241) against Zito, who is 4-9 with a 4.65 ERA in 20 career starts against the Padres. He's 5-3 with a 4.22 ERA in 11 road starts this season.

Stults has allowed one run over his last two starts, and he pitched into the eighth inning last Monday against the Braves. Claimed off waivers from the White Sox in May, Stults has a 2.37 ERA in four appearances (three starts) at Petco Park this season. He's 2-2 with a 4.32 ERA in eight career games (six starts) against the Giants.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco has won 10 of its last 14 road games since the All-Star break, outscoring its opponents by a 103-45 margin.

2. In 14 games this month, Headley has hit .317 (19-for-60), leading the majors with seven home runs and 21 RBI.